Path to Growth: Conversations with Leaders on Go-To-Market Tracy Young

Tracy sits down with Taylor Young, Chief Strategy Officer at CoLab Software. They discuss Taylor's experience at CoLab, a company that develops collaboration software for the manufacturing industry, helping teams work on 3D designs and other complex mechanical projects.
Taylor shares insights into the origins and impact of CoLab, highlighting how it fills a critical gap in collaboration tools for the manufacturing sector. The discussion also covers Taylor's childhood in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, where she grew up in an entrepreneurial family, which influenced her career path and values.
Significant parts of the conversation delve into how CoLab is adapting to advancements in AI and the importance of review processes in AI-assisted environments. Taylor emphasizes the evolution of CoLab’s team culture, the strategic hiring practices, and the company's hybrid remote work model, which combines the benefits of remote work with occasional in-person interactions.
Overall, the episode paints a detailed picture of Taylor's journey with CoLab, the company's innovative approach to collaboration in manufacturing, and the broader implications of their work on the industry and workplace culture.
Key Takeaways

Innovative Collaboration Tools for Manufacturing: Taylor discusses how CoLab developed much-needed collaboration software for the manufacturing industry, enabling teams to efficiently work together on complex 3D designs and mechanical projects. This innovation addresses a longstanding gap in the industry, providing tools that were absent but necessary for modern manufacturing processes.
Adaptation to AI and Strategic Growth: Taylor elaborates on how CoLab is adapting to rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, using AI to enhance their software capabilities. She emphasizes the strategic importance of review processes in AI-assisted environments and discusses the company's growth and scaling strategies, highlighting the role of AI in shaping the future of work.
Remote Work and Company Culture: The conversation also covers CoLab’s remote-first approach and the hybrid model they use, blending remote work with biannual in-person team weeks in Newfoundland. Taylor reflects on the significance of company culture, noting how CoLab has adapted its culture and values as the company has grown, stressing the importance of maintaining a strong alignment between company values and its leadership.

Tracy Young, co-founder and CEO of TigerEye, talks with Allison Whalen, CEO of Parentally. The discussion explores the intricate balance between personal growth, family life, and career development, offering a wealth of insights for individuals and companies navigating the challenges of parenthood in the professional world.
From Minnesota to Parentally: Allison Whalen's JourneyAllison Whalen's narrative begins with her childhood in Minnesota, a place she once vowed to leave but returned to with her own family for its community and educational opportunities. This reflection on her roots sets the stage for discussing the impact of upbringing on personal and professional growth. Allison's stories about her parents, particularly her mother's part-time career as a speech pathologist, highlight the subtle yet profound influence of parental role models on our perceptions of work-life balance.
The Genesis of ParentallyThey transition to discussing the inception of Parentally reveals Allison's deep commitment to addressing the disconnect between parental leave policies and their practical implementation. She shares her own tumultuous return-to-work experience post-parenthood, which led her to question and eventually redefine how companies approach parental leave. By focusing on meaningful work, intentional planning, and supportive re-onboarding, Parentally aims to transform parental leave from a potential career setback to a strategic advantage for companies and employees alike.
Leadership, Culture, and ChangeBeyond the specifics of parental leave, the conversation delves into broader themes of leadership, corporate culture, and societal change. Allison underscores the importance of empathy, mentorship, and continuous improvement within organizational leadership. She advocates for a culture that values quick iteration alongside sophistication in work, a balance that nurtures innovation and growth.
Marketing strategies and the significance of LinkedIn as a tool for engagement and thought leadership are discussed, showcasing how Parentally leverages digital platforms to foster connections and support within the HR community.
A Call for Inclusivity and SupportOne of the most poignant aspects of the interview is Allison's call for a more inclusive and supportive approach to parenthood in the workplace. She emphasizes the need for societal and policy changes to ensure that parental leave is not just a privilege but a right accessible to all. Through her insights, Allison invites companies, leaders, and individuals to reflect on how they can contribute to a culture that supports working parents, enabling them to thrive in both their personal and professional lives.

Meghan Gill, SVP of SalesOps and Sales Development at MongoDB, joins Tracy Young to discuss her early influences and the adaptation needed to thrive across the journey from startup to IPO.
Meghan shares her background, including growing up in Flushing, Queens, with a teacher mother and an entrepreneur father, which inspired her to join startups, including MongoDB as one of its early employees. Her parents initially questioned her decision to join a small company but eventually supported her, especially when MongoDB went public.
Meghan discusses her role at MongoDB, her transition from marketing to sales operations, and the importance of adaptability and learning in her career. She highlights MongoDB's evolution, including its IPO and shift towards a cloud and consumption-based business model. Meghan emphasizes the value of humility, continuous learning, and resilience in facing career challenges.
The conversation also touches on effective collaboration between marketing and sales, the significance of recruiting and developing the right talent, and the challenges of balancing a demanding career with motherhood. Meghan and Tracy share insights on building a supportive work environment, especially for working parents, and the potential impact of remote and hybrid work models.
Meghan reflects on a personal setback in sixth grade that shifted her mindset towards growth and resilience, underscoring the importance of facing adversity. She also discusses MongoDB's future, especially in enabling AI applications, and the interview concludes with a mutual appreciation for women's representation in leadership and entrepreneurship.

In this interview, Alina Vandenberghe, co-founder and co-CEO of Chili Piper, shares her journey from Romania to the US, her upbringing during communism, and the lessons in perseverance and collaboration she learned. She discusses the challenges and rewards of founding Chili Piper with her husband, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and the ability to handle conflicts in such partnerships. Alina highlights her passion for innovation and culture, and the complexities of roles like marketing in a dynamic environment. She also shares her approach to handling competition, emphasizing collaboration over confrontation, and provides insights on personal growth, stress management, and maintaining company culture during expansion.

Tracy Young speaks with Shirin Oshidari, an experienced sales leader with a background in companies like OpenSpace, Streetlight Data, and Autodesk. Shirin shares her unique life journey, starting with her upbringing in Tehran, Iran, during the revolution, which led her to move to the U.S. as a teenager. She talks about growing up mostly alone, as her siblings were abroad and she was much younger than them, which cultivated her independence and resilience.
Shirin attributes her character and approach to life significantly to her father, describing him as a no-nonsense, positive person. She discusses how the challenges of losing everything at a young age and being refugees shaped her outlook on life, teaching her to make the best out of difficult situations and to focus on education and moving forward.
 

Toby Corey chats with Tracy Young about his journey, mixing personal stories and business insights. He dives into how his parents' values shaped him, especially his dad's creativity and his mom's compassion. Toby reflects on his career, from software to leading startups, emphasizing how he loves learning new stuff and tackling big challenges. He talks about the ups and downs of startup life, the importance of a tight-knit team culture, and making smart, forward-thinking decisions. Big on sustainability, Toby's really into making a positive impact for future generations, and he's all about personal growth, always pushing himself to learn and do better.